Renewable EnergyNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Renewable EnergyMon, 05 Jun 2017 18:29:19 +0000Renewable Energyhttp://wfae.org
Nick de la CanalA trade association representing energy organizations in the Carolinas say President Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris Accord will have little immediate effect on local energy companies. Duke Energy, in particular, is forging ahead with ambitious goals like halting the construction of any new coal plants, and reducing carbon emissions by 40 percent by the year 2030.Trade Association: NC Energy Companies Unlikely To Stop Investing In Renewableshttp://wfae.org/post/trade-association-nc-energy-companies-unlikely-stop-investing-renewables
116883 as http://wfae.orgFri, 02 Jun 2017 21:05:30 +0000Trade Association: NC Energy Companies Unlikely To Stop Investing In RenewablesDavid BoraksDuke Energy plans to spend an extra $13 billion over the next decade to modernize the power lines and systems that distribute electricity in North Carolina. The upgrades include burying lines, adding technology to reduce outages, and giving customers more energy efficiency tools.Duke Plans $13B In Upgrades To Power Grid Over 10 Yearshttp://wfae.org/post/duke-plans-13b-upgrades-power-grid-over-10-years
113667 as http://wfae.orgWed, 12 Apr 2017 21:12:17 +0000Duke Plans $13B In Upgrades To Power Grid Over 10 YearsDavid BoraksWind and solar power get most of the attention when it comes to renewable energy. But Duke Energy has another alternative - a type of hydroelectric power called pumped storage. WFAE reporter David Boraks visited Bad Creek hydroelectric station in upstate South Carolina, where Duke is getting ready to invest millions of dollars in upgrades.Energy Storage The Priority As Duke Upgrades SC Hydro Planthttp://wfae.org/post/energy-storage-priority-duke-upgrades-sc-hydro-plant
111830 as http://wfae.orgMon, 13 Mar 2017 21:50:47 +0000Energy Storage The Priority As Duke Upgrades SC Hydro PlantDavid BoraksDuke Energy has put out a call to renewable energy developers for new projects in the western part of the state. It's part of the company's push to meet a state mandate to generate more energy from sources other than fossil fuels.Duke Wants More Solar Projects In Western NC http://wfae.org/post/duke-wants-more-solar-projects-western-nc
104194 as http://wfae.orgTue, 25 Oct 2016 17:38:55 +0000Duke Wants More Solar Projects In Western NC David BoraksThe North Carolina Senate approved a bill Monday that would ban wind farms across much of the state. The "Military Operations Protection Act," which passed 33-14, would not allow wind turbines in areas with military training flights.Senate OKs Bill To Ban Wind Farms In Much Of Statehttp://wfae.org/post/senate-oks-bill-ban-wind-farms-much-state
96784 as http://wfae.orgTue, 21 Jun 2016 15:58:21 +0000Senate OKs Bill To Ban Wind Farms In Much Of StateDavid BoraksDuke Energy shareholders elected a smaller board and approved one of two shareholder proposals at their annual meeting Thursday morning.Duke Shareholders Elect Board, Support Voting Changehttp://wfae.org/post/duke-shareholders-elect-board-support-voting-change
94105 as http://wfae.orgThu, 05 May 2016 17:49:40 +0000Duke Shareholders Elect Board, Support Voting ChangeDavid BoraksDuke Energy says it’s on track to beat its goal for renewable energy use over the next few years, so it’s raising the bar. The pledge came in the company’s annual corporate sustainability report out Thursday.Duke Sets Higher Target For Renewable Energyhttp://wfae.org/post/duke-sets-higher-target-renewable-energy
93681 as http://wfae.orgThu, 28 Apr 2016 19:16:02 +0000Duke Sets Higher Target For Renewable EnergyDavid BoraksDuke Energy has signed a deal to buy natural gas recycled from swine and poultry waste generated at a new plant eastern North Carolina. The contract helps Duke meet state renewable energy rules and could help solve the problem of what to do with the state's growing amount of animal waste.Duke's New Source For Natural Gas: Hog Waste http://wfae.org/post/dukes-new-source-natural-gas-hog-waste
91349 as http://wfae.orgMon, 21 Mar 2016 20:05:53 +0000Duke's New Source For Natural Gas: Hog Waste David BoraksNorth Carolina is continuing to fight new EPA rules that limit carbon emissions from power plants. Gov. Pat McCrory's office said Wednesday night the state has joined 27 other states in asking the US Supreme Court to delay the Clean Power Plan, while the states challenge the rules in court.NC Asks Supreme Court to Delay US Clean Power Ruleshttp://wfae.org/post/nc-asks-supreme-court-delay-us-clean-power-rules
88072 as http://wfae.orgThu, 28 Jan 2016 13:49:14 +0000NC Asks Supreme Court to Delay US Clean Power RulesDavid BoraksDuke Energy plans to add two more solar energy projects to its North Carolina power network next year, as it works to meet state requirements for clean electricity. The company is asking the North Carolina Utilities Commission for permission to take over two projects already in development - a 60-megawatt solar farm in Monroe and a 15.4-megawatt facility in Mocksville, in Davie County. If approved, construction on both would start in March and be done by the end of 2016. Development of both solar projects was started by Charlotte’s Birdseye Renewables, which has worked with Duke before. The proposed solar facility near Monroe would be on 400 acres at 2272 S. Rocky River Road, in Union County. Strata Solar, of Chapel Hill, will design and build the project. The Mocksville solar farm would be on 110 acres at 197 Crawford Road. Crowder Construction of Charlotte will lead design and construction there. Duke has announced a series of solar projects in the state this month, with state solarDuke Announces 2 More Solar Farms, in Monroe, Mocksvillehttp://wfae.org/post/duke-announces-2-more-solar-farms-monroe-mocksville
85598 as http://wfae.orgTue, 15 Dec 2015 20:38:48 +0000Duke Announces 2 More Solar Farms, in Monroe, MocksvilleBen BradfordDuke Energy reports it cost about $30 million to comply with North Carolina’s renewable energy requirement last year. As that requirement doubles next year, Duke is petitioning for an increase in rates.NC Renewable Energy, And Surcharges, Set To Risehttp://wfae.org/post/nc-renewable-energy-and-surcharges-set-rise
54067 as http://wfae.orgTue, 01 Jul 2014 21:40:59 +0000NC Renewable Energy, And Surcharges, Set To RiseBen BradfordDuke Energy is in discussion with large companies, including Google and Facebook, to use renewable energy to power new electricity needs in North Carolina. Companies can pay a premium and Duke will pour energy of the companies’ choice—solar or wind, for instance—into the grid to match the amount of power used. The new program sailed through the state utilities commission last month, but some environmental organizations question its potential. WFAE’s Ben Bradford joined Morning Edition host Kevin Kniestedt to explain.How Duke Will Sell Renewable Energy To Large Customershttp://wfae.org/post/how-duke-will-sell-renewable-energy-large-customers
43799 as http://wfae.orgMon, 27 Jan 2014 15:22:11 +0000How Duke Will Sell Renewable Energy To Large CustomersBen BradfordA new report shows North Carolina becoming a bigger player in the solar energy market. The firm NPD Solarbuzz says North Carolina created 400MW (megawatts) of new solar capacity. That’s enough to account for 10 percent of all new solar in the U.S. and Canada. Analyst Michael Barker says it’s a ramp up from previous years. "One of the big findings was just how quickly the North Carolina market has grown in 2013," Barker says. "Climbing from the 5th largest U.S. market to the 2nd largest U.S. market." California once again ranked first, installing about four times the capacity North Carolina did, according to the report. In total, the U.S. and Canada added 4.2 gigawatts of solar power. According the report, Strata Solar in Chapel Hill was the leading producer in the state. The company says it built more than 50MW of solar installations in North Carolina this year.North Carolina Ranks Second In New Solar Capacity In 2013http://wfae.org/post/north-carolina-ranks-second-new-solar-capacity-2013
42754 as http://wfae.orgFri, 10 Jan 2014 19:53:57 +0000North Carolina Ranks Second In New Solar Capacity In 2013Ben BradfordDuke Energy is not known for embracing renewable energy in North Carolina. About one percent of the Duke Energy Progress’ and Duke Energy Carolinas’ electric capacities in the state come from renewables—mostly solar, as well as a small amount of wind and biomass. Duke’s favored plan projects that number to rise to just 3 percent, 15 years from now. At the same time, Duke has a subsidiary business solely focused on developing and selling renewable energy across the country. WFAE’s Ben Bradford spoke to the president of Duke Energy Renewables for a businessman’s perspective on the green revolution.Duke Renewables President Talks Solar Prospectshttp://wfae.org/post/duke-renewables-president-talks-solar-prospects
41556 as http://wfae.orgMon, 23 Dec 2013 06:05:21 +0000Duke Renewables President Talks Solar ProspectsBen BradfordWhen you look out the airplane window as you fly into Charlotte, the trees thin, the Uptown skyline rises into view, and the buildings of West Charlotte grow larger, as your plane drops altitude. The City of Charlotte hopes to add solar panels glinting across the airport’s parking lots and in-between the runways to that view. The city is soliciting bids for an ambitious solar project at the airport. The CLT Center conference room filled with about 60 energy developers, all interested in the project—to build solar panels at the airport, on building rooftops, between runways, and on canopies over the parking lots. “We’ve had a tremendous response to this,” Charlotte energy and sustainability manager Robert Phocas told the group. “Obviously a lot more than we thought we would, which is wonderful.” The airport will lease the land and get the profits. At more than 128 acres and up to 53 megawatts of power, it easily surpasses the largest solar project the city has previously attempted.City Aims To Make Charlotte Airport A Big Player In Solar Energy Productionhttp://wfae.org/post/city-aims-make-charlotte-airport-big-player-solar-energy-production
39799 as http://wfae.orgSat, 23 Nov 2013 00:33:50 +0000City Aims To Make Charlotte Airport A Big Player In Solar Energy ProductionTasnim ShammaFurniture giant IKEA has just installed 4,228 solar panels on the roof of its store in Charlotte. The panels are expected to generate up to half of the store's electricity.IKEA-Charlotte Now Operates (Partly) On Sunshinehttp://wfae.org/post/ikea-charlotte-now-operates-partly-sunshine
28761 as http://wfae.orgThu, 06 Jun 2013 13:21:32 +0000IKEA-Charlotte Now Operates (Partly) On SunshineThe world’s thirst for more energy has led us down the path to climate change. Some politicians have said that alternatives to fossil fuels may help us reverse that, but the problem is that alternative forms of energy aren't ready on the scale we need. And recently scientists at UNC Charlotte came to an even more alarming conclusion, that the problem is unsolvable. Two of the people working on that project talk about their troubling conclusion, when Charlotte Talks.Optimal Energy Investmentshttp://wfae.org/post/optimal-energy-investments
26773 as http://wfae.orgWed, 08 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000Optimal Energy InvestmentsJulie RoseThe developer whose plan to turn Charlotte trash into electricity was squashed by public opposition last year, has now received a permit for a much smaller power plant that will run on sawdust. Tom McKittrick's original vision at a contaminated industrial site on the Catawba River was an 80 megawatt plant powered by household garbage. People protested and McKittrick couldn't find a buyer for all that electricity, so he scaled back to 45 megawatts, then 20 megawatts and then dropped it completely. Now he's received a Mecklenburg County Air Quality permit to generate just one-and-a-half megawatts of electricity burning sawdust at what he calls ReVenture Park. "The idea with the project from Day 1 was to create a platform for attracting energy alternative fuel, recycling-type projects," says McKittrick. "So this small power plant plays directly in with the initial plan. It's just a smaller project than what we set out, originally, to do." It's a showcase, more than anything and has beenSmaller ReVenture Plan Moves Forwardhttp://wfae.org/post/smaller-reventure-plan-moves-forward
16750 as http://wfae.orgFri, 30 Nov 2012 11:01:00 +0000Smaller ReVenture Plan Moves Forward